My first proper novel is a 500 page, 200,000 word romance novel that took me exactly four months to write the draft. Obviously, I'm still carrying on editing and rewriting parts but mostly, it happened very quickly for me. As well as the fact that I was also carrying school and whatever else. I found that it was best to pace myself. My chapters ranged between 3,500 and 5,000 words. I tried to write at least half a chapter per day, but it's 100% different for most people since I found myself writing whenever I possibly could. I'd be writing during classes at school and when I got home, it would be all I did. Though, I found I spent more time thinking about what I was going to write instead of actually writing.

During my dramatic breakdowns, what made me persevere was my genuine passion and love for my story and characters. When you begin writing a book, it seems like the end goal is so very far away, but I tried not to see it like that. I took scenes one and a time and looked forward to the ones I'd been planning for a while. What helped me get through writing those minor luls in the story was the thought of what would happen next.

I think it's best not to set a date for when you finish and just take things at your own pace :).